The Baseball Federation of Puerto Rico is analyzing withdrawing the participation of the “Team Rubio” for the next World Baseball Classic 2026 after Francisco Lindor joined the long list of players who a team of Big Leagues has denied them permission to play the tournament scheduled for next March. This is what he assured Jose Quilespresident of the FBPR.
Why is Puerto Rico threatening not to play the WBC?
Quiles was extremely disappointed about the rejections that different players like Lindor himself have received (Mets), as well as Carlos Correa (Astros), since, even if they can assemble a team that can represent the country in the competition, “it is not what the country is waiting for.”
“It has already been considered. If we cannot participate on equal terms, it is discussed,” said Quiles in an interview published by Jay Fonseca on YouTube. “We are considering not participating in this edition of the Classic; we will see what happens these days. The decision has almost been made that Puerto Rico will not participate”.
⚾ Something here doesn’t add up.
????????Injured players can play the classic and go with other countries… but they say no to Puerto Rico.
????And if we cannot compete equally, Ours might not participate.
????The President of the Baseball Federation, José Quiles, explained what… pic.twitter.com/UtuN5zmsEj
— Jay Fonseca (@jayfonsecapr) January 31, 2026
While Puerto Rico has seen permission denied for Lindor, Correa, as well as Jose Berrios, Victor Caratini, Yacksel Ríos, Emilio Pagan y Alexis Diazthe national team of USA has announced a good portion of its roster with players like Pull Skubal, Paul Skenes –both winners of the Cy Young Award–, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Clayton Kershawas well as its captain Aaron Judge.
Sports and economic consequences if Puerto Rico drops out of the Classic
The decision not only means losing the participation of the team from the number 7 country in the world ranking of the World Baseball and Softball Confederationit would also be a harsh economic loss for the Organizing Committee of the World Baseball Classic since the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico will be the headquarters of Group A in the competition.
The situation has transcended beyond the baseball circle since, in addition to Quiles, the Governor of Puerto Rico, Jenniffer González Colónwill contact the president of the World Baseball ClassicJim Small, trying to reverse the important denials that the Baseball Federation has received regarding permits.
If you change your mind and confirm your participation, Puerto Rico will open the tournament in the Group A facing Colombia, Cuba, Panama y Canada starting March 5 at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan.
